Transparency in Real Estate: “Sales” Claims & Agent Safety

“Sales” Claims

This is a sales solicitation, making some pretty audacious claims. We aren’t fans of the chosen image, especially for a product that costs as much as what they are selling. A little digging around online shows this individual has closed 300 deals, not 1000. Year to date? Try 16, not 82. How about listings? Averaging 3 YTD isn’t twenty, let alone thirty. The individual is successful by any standard, that is a fact! But inflating the facts to this magnitude insanity.

What gives? It seems to us that false advertising bending the truth a little is prevalent with many vendors in the real estate business. Always seek a second opinion when working with a vendor!

Agent Safety

Many local, state and national news stories have been published recently:

These have spurned a slew of safety apps and new policies coming from the National Association of REALTORS to offices across America. Our business revolves around meeting new people. Who are we meeting? That is a great question!

It is a question that cautious agents are asking. We want to know who we are meeting, since our information is readily available online. We typically operate alone, and want more information than a text or email can give us.

One recent inquiry to 1850 was on a lot we have for sale, in a relatively remote area. This is an unimproved lot on a hilltop. It is accessible from public roads, which was offered to this individual so they could view the offering at their pleasure. We also have an extensive site dedicated to the lot, that has multiple Google Earth images with the property outlined. That way a factual picture of the property offered is being openly presented.

The lot, with the arrow pointing to a yucca plant over 400 feet away. On the flat part of the property. You can also see how far out the neighboring property has improved, in the same plane.

They asked about the lot, which is on a hill. We replied “it has about two flat acres.” Which it does. This person wanted to meet someone from our office, while refusing to identify themselves. They didn’t reveal they already had an agent for representation. When queried about identity and financial qualifications, they said they didn’t trust us and would contact their agent. A few days go by, and agent finally shows their own client the property.

Then we get this:

That said, since when is actually looking at something you are interested in a waste of time? We take offense to the claim that we “bullshit” them. If the tone of this reply is any indicator, we are happy we passed on being face to face with this individual. We aren’t verbal punching bags, nor will we become one: virtually or real world. It wasn’t what this person was looking for, and that is OK.

Bottom line: if you want to see property and are asking a stranger to show, prepare to answer some questions and furnish a copy of your ID. Objections to those mean it just won’t work out. We aren’t in the old days anymore 🙁

Enjoy Fall in Fallbrook! Walk through Main Avenue in downtown Fallbrook on Sunday, Oct. 15th from 10am-4pm and enjoy the essence of Autumn with the annual Fallbrook Harvest Faire! Faire is filled with hay rides, pony rides, handmade crafts, local foods, petting zoo, and pumpkin contests! Don’t miss the fun collection of scarecrows on display! www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/events-v2/Fallbrook-Harvest-Faire_ET1117.html...

Premiering in October is the Vista Vintage & Makers Market! This is a curated marketplace devoted to offering vendors and shoppers a place to celebrate all things old, new and reimagined! Antiques and Vintage wares will be abundant alongside hand-crafted items from local artisans. A free event that’s family and pet friendly so make a day of it and enjoy all that Downtown Vista has to offer! Sunday October 15th from 10-4pm. More info at: www.vistavmm.com/...

Guests will be transported to the 1920s to the age of flappers, prohibition, bootlegging, Dali, Capone, Chanel, and the Charleston! This year you are invited to experience the Painted Lotus. Your evening will include: 5 course dinner paired with wine and cocktails, silent auction, live entertainment, gaming, handcrafted welcome gift, an evening to remember! October 14th, 2017 5 pm-10 pm www.facebook.com/events/1359618377493063/

This event gets better every year! This is what people are saying about it:

“Spectacular event with great people, exceptional food and wine pairings, and entertaining surprises; all to support a worthy cause, Charity Wings! We can’t wait to attend the next Vin d’Art.”Russ and Kristal Jabara

“One of the many events Charity Wings has planned seamlessly, is Vin D’Art. I was able to participate and enjoy the fruits of their labor last year at this event. The event was an absolute hit!”Maryam Davodi FarExecutive Director, Cancer Coping Center

“I attended the Vin d’ Art event hosted by Charity Wings, and I attend many fundraisers for nonprofits. This event was beyond my wildest imagination. First of all what they did with a vacant commercial space was nothing short of phenomenal. You really felt like you were transcended to quaint European Village where you were having a dinner and wine party with 99 of your closest friends. It never felt like a “chore or work event” I had to attend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. You are not going to want to miss out this year’s event, it is going to be magnificent.”Tish MurryChief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos

“Vin d’Art is enchanting! From selecting my personalized etched wine glass, to the Guest Chef’s sumptuous pairings of wine and food. Each course was thoughtfully crafted and enjoyable. Good people, great food and a beautiful ambiance. Truthfully, there are a lot of formulaic fundraising dinners out there. Charity Wings has created a unique evening right down to the littlest details. Each time I use my Charity Wings wine glass, I am reminded of that night and I can’t help but smile. A great date night for a terrific community organization.”Lisa Lipsey...

In honor of the community’s German founding fathers (Olivenhain is German for "olive tree”), the long-running Oktoberfest celebration returns from noon to 4pm on Sunday Oct. 8th hosted at the Olivenhain Meeting Hall located at 432 Rancho Santa FeRoad in Encinitas. Bratwurst and hot dogs will be grilled onsite, with all the trimmings. There will also be beers by Stone Brewing and other local breweries plus live German music. About 300 to 500 usually attend the free event (dinners are $12-$20). www.olivenhain.org/?page_id=89...